Form Fit Bug Shield

bluetundra · #1 (**permalink**) 02-16-2002, 03:19 PM

I have had a Form Fit bug deflector on my Tundra for about 8 months now and I have just had a mishap with mine a few days ago. I was at a gas station filling up and noticed how badly my Tundra looked from all of the salt that Michigan puts on the roads for snow. So I decided to purchase the drive thru car wash. I typically go through a drive thru car wash once a week in the winter. Well this particular one I went too had two blower motor like things at the top of the exit that went left and right to blow dry the vehicle. As soon as I approached it, the drivers side of the bug shield just pulled off of my grille and started to swing back and forth against my truck. Then the whole thing just rips off and the air pushed it immediately under my front tires and now it lays in pieces in the drive thru car wash

It happened so fast that I was relieved that it fell off quickly and that it didn't do any damage to the front grille area but now I need to take the rubber bumpers off (5) and the two clips too. So now I am off to get another bug deflector (probably Toyota's) Form Fit owners be careful in that drive thru car wash.

Mohamed · #2 (**permalink**) 02-16-2002, 06:02 PM

Wow you went through a drive though car wash? It looked kinda small for the Tundra and I decided against it. If I may ask, what company was it (meaning gas), they usually have about the same looking machines.

TRDPWRD · #3 (**permalink**) 02-16-2002, 06:15 PM

FYI. Toyota's OEM shield is great as it attaches to the underside of the hood. Can't go anywhere. The downside is that you have to drill two holes in the underside of your hood. Definitely use a drill with a depth stop on it. You have to put a lot of pressure to cut through the underside and w/o a depth stop, you could go through the top of the hood! It's real easy though. They give you some great patterns to apply with tape to the underside of the hood, so it's real straightforward. I, like you, have gone through the Shell carwash during winter here in Ohio. I know the blowers you are speaking of exactly. I have watched my hood protector very carefully and the plastic does not even flex even under the tornado of the blowers....

bluetundra · #4 (**permalink**) 02-17-2002, 08:34 AM

I do believe the company that makes it is Focus. It is the Form Fit model and truthfully it fit like a glove. I did enjoy that I didn't have to drill any holes in case I didn't want it on anymore (or if it rips off of my truck

) I did have pics up in my profile before the new format that showed how well they fit.

T'sTOY · #5 (**permalink**) 02-17-2002, 02:49 PM

I have an ARE MX (above the cab) shell on my truck ans use the drive thru car washes all the time, never had a problem with the truck fitting. I also have a Lund shield on the hood and while it does move a small amount in the wind and by those "dryers" it's never been a problem. It's also attached with screws and brackets and has held up very nicely. It's not super close, but gives me just enough room to get my hand behind the shield for washing and drying when I do it myself.
T

Possum · #6 (**permalink**) 02-17-2002, 04:43 PM

You must have gotten an old one, as the two I had purchased in the past 6 months say in the instruction; DO NOT USE IN HIGH PRESSURE CAR WASHES.

So far, no problems at all with the one I have on my Tundra or the one on my daughter's. However, I steer clear of all automatic car washes anyway. I prefer that personal touch.

Sorry to hear about your mishap.

Dan

deserttoy · #7 (**permalink**) 02-27-2002, 01:56 PM

Don't go in any car wash with a blower even with the genuine Toyota protector. Trust me it will break off the mounting bracket.

. BTW I don't recommend using these car washes even without a hood protector!

deserttoy

ra1nman · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2002, 02:32 PM

Anybody remember off-hand what size the bolts that hold on the grille are? Since I didn't tighten them enough when I had originally installed it, it loosened itself out while driving down the hwy today (floping around and all).
BTW: From an earlier thread, I checked for under the deflector for paint being rubbed off or chipped and didn't find anything....

bluetundra · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2002, 04:15 PM

I do believe that it is 10mm bolts. I too after I had my bug shield torn off did not have any chips or scratches from my old form fit.

tsb · #10 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 11:01 PM

whos got a bug deflector on their truck? is it a clip on or screwed on? mine is a clip on but the metal part is chipping away the front hood. This clip on sucks! it not only chips the pain but doesn't stay. it slides down. is there a fix for that and the chipped paint?

jbtoy · #11 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tsb
whos got a bug deflector on their truck? is it a clip on or screwed on? mine is a clip on but the metal part is chipping away the front hood. This clip on sucks! it not only chips the pain but doesn't stay. it slides down. is there a fix for that and the chipped paint?

I am using the Toyota bugshield. It has several brackets in the grill for mounting points and is screwed in. There are 2 points that are attached at the hood. The shield itself does not contact the hood and has been fine for 18 months. What brand are you using on your ride? Can you describe the install?

tsb · #12 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 07:29 PM

jbtoy,

nice looking truck u got there

hey i notice you got the color keyed tailgate handle. where did u get it? and will it fit a 2000 tundra?

my bugshield, i believe its by ventvisor, the one w/ the metal clip on each end that basically clamps to the left/right end of front hood. the center portion of it is bolt by the bolts of the grille.
i got this about 3 yrs ago when i bought my truck which is almost 3 yrs now.

thnks jb

ra1nman · #13 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 11:05 PM

I have a Form-fit deflector. It is held on by the grille and 2 rubber "E" clips placed at both ends of the hood. There was some talk earlier that the deflector may do some damage to your paint. Since installation requires you place a thin foam gasket (single sided tape w/ foam on the other side) behind the grill where the deflector sits against, it is possible to place it wrong

. I've had the deflector on since July and had checked it last month and there was no damage to my paint.

jbtoy · #14 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tsb
jbtoy,

nice looking truck u got there

hey i notice you got the color keyed tailgate handle. where did u get it? and will it fit a 2000 tundra?

thnks jb

Thanks for the compliment. I replaced my black tailgate handle with a FRP '01, color keyed handle as you noticed. If your truck color is available in the "Limited" version, you can order a replacement from the dealer. It is the same handle, so it fits all Tundras. Unless you have a good dealer locally, best price would come from Steve G. at Carson Toyota.

Possum · #15 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 04:24 AM

I too have the Form Fit Deflector on for close to a year now...no signs of paint wear. I liked this one as it required no drilling, and I have my eyes set on the 2004 Quad Cab when it comes out. So trying to keep it pretty much stock.

I think some of the problems that were brought up about these may have been an older version, or applied incorrectly.

Dan

BTW...great looking truck!